Police release CCTV of ute driver accused of torching factory, killing two sleeping men inside
The devastated daughter of an innocent man killed in a deliberately lit blaze is urging offenders to hand themselves in, warning them “we’ve got a good idea of who you are”.
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The devastated daughter of an innocent man killed in a targeted arson attack has begged the offenders to hand themselves in.
Jade’s father, Hai, was killed as he slept after a fire ripped through a Sunshine North factory in a deliberately lit blaze in February.
Her father, 42, had been asleep in a building behind the Bunnett St panel shop, which was targeted just after 4am on February 23.
He and a 48-year-old man, both from Sunshine North, died at the scene.
Police on Friday launched a fresh appeal for witnesses, honing in on the occupants of a white dual cab ute seen fleeing the area.
A man was seen exiting the ute parked outside the factory before he poured an accelerant from a jerry can onto the factory door and set it alight.
He swiftly returned to the ute as the factory went up in flames.
It then spread to the rear building, where the two men had been staying for the night.
Jade said a lack of answers over her father’s death was “difficult” as she urged the offenders to hand themselves in.
“He was under the assumption that it was safe to sleep there,” the 18-year-old said on Friday.
“It was very traumatic, it was very shocking, I think everyone is grieving in their own way.
“You better hand yourself in now because we’ve got a good idea of who you are.”
The white ute in question was later found burnt out on Gisborne Rd in Coimadai, north of Bacchus Marsh and Melton.
There are no established links between the fire and any organised crime activity, nor any arson attacks on other panel beaters.
Detectives are still unsure why the Bunnett St factory was targeted.
Detective Acting Inspector Tracy Johnston from the arson and explosives squad said the families of the victims were desperate for answers.
She said the torching of the factory was “abhorrent criminal behaviour”.
“This is an incredibly tragic incident – two men innocently sleeping have lost their lives as a result of this reckless and abhorrent criminal behaviour,” she said.
“Any arson attack is incredibly concerning for police, and on this occasion, it has had the most devastating of outcomes. There are now two families missing a loved father, brother, son.
“These two men were much loved by their family and friends, all of whom are still grieving their loss and searching for answers as to why this has occurred.”
Jade said her father had a strong passion for sport and was always there for his three children.
“He was a good person, he was pretty funny and loved to joke around a lot,” she added.
“He was also very protective, he always wanted to be there for me and my other two siblings.
“He loved tennis, that was his favourite thing so he got me into classes, he used to love going to the tennis.
Anyone who recognises the white ute, or has dashcam or information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Originally published as Police release CCTV of ute driver accused of torching factory, killing two sleeping men inside
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